Learn About Osteitis Fibrosa
Osteitis fibrosa is a complication of hyperparathyroidism, a condition in which overactive parathyroid glands cause certain bones to become abnormally weak and deformed.
Osteitis fibrosa cystica; Hyperparathyroidism - osteitis fibrosa; Brown tumor of bone
The parathyroid glands are 4 tiny glands in the neck. These glands produce parathyroid hormone (PTH). PTH helps regulate calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D levels in the blood and is important for healthy bones.
Too much parathyroid hormone (hyperparathyroidism) can lead to increased bone breakdown, which can cause bones to become weaker and more fragile. Many people with hyperparathyroidism eventually develop osteoporosis. Not all bones respond to PTH in the same way. Some develop abnormal areas where the bone is very soft and has almost no calcium in it. This is osteitis fibrosa.
In rare cases, parathyroid cancer causes osteitis fibrosa.
Osteitis fibrosa is now very rare in people who have hyperparathyroidism and good access to medical care. It is more common in people who develop hyperparathyroidism at a young age, or have untreated hyperparathyroidism for a long time.
Osteitis fibrosa may cause bone pain or tenderness. There may be fractures (breaks) in the arms, legs, or spine, or other bone problems.
Hyperparathyroidism itself may cause any of the following:
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Fatigue
- Frequent urination
- Weakness
Most of the bone problems from osteitis fibrosa can be reversed with surgery to remove the abnormal parathyroid gland(s). Some people may choose not to have surgery, and instead be followed with blood tests and bone measurements.
If surgery is not possible, medicines can sometimes be used to lower the blood calcium level.
CHU Edouard Herriot
Roland Chapurlat practices in Lyon, France. Mr. Chapurlat is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Osteitis Fibrosa. His top areas of expertise are Postmenopausal Osteoporosis, Osteoporosis, Fibrous Dysplasia, Osteitis Fibrosa, and Hip Replacement.
Natasha Dijkstra-Appelman practices in Leiden, Netherlands. Ms. Dijkstra-Appelman is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Osteitis Fibrosa. Her top areas of expertise are Fibrous Dysplasia, Mccune-Albright Syndrome, Osteitis Fibrosa, Parathyroidectomy, and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
Tomoyuki Mukai practices in Kurashiki, Japan. Mr. Mukai is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Osteitis Fibrosa. His top areas of expertise are Cherubism, Osteitis Fibrosa, Bazex Syndrome, and Fibrous Dysplasia.
Complications of osteitis fibrosa include any of the following:
- Bone fractures
- Deformities of bone
- Pain
- Problems due to hyperparathyroidism, such as kidney stones and kidney failure
Contact your health care provider if you have bone pain, tenderness, or symptoms of hyperparathyroidism.
Routine blood tests done during a medical checkup or for another health problem usually detect a high calcium level before severe damage is done.
Summary: Polyostotic fibrous dysplasia (PFD) is a sporadic disorder which affects multiple sites in the skeleton. The bone at these sites is rapidly resorbed and replaced by abnormal fibrous tissue or mechanically abnormal bone. PFD may occur alone or as part of the McCune-Albright Syndrome (MAS), a syndrome originally defined by the triad of PFD, cafe-au-lait pigmentation of the skin, and precocious puber...
Summary: The FD/MAS Patient Registry is an IRB-approved research study that that invites the patients and families to help answer some of the biggest questions about FD/MAS by completing questionnaires about their lives with FD or MAS. Have you enrolled in the FD/MAS Patient Registry yet? Are you up-to-date on your surveys? Take a trip to www.fdmasregistry.org today to learn more about the project, enroll,...
Published Date: May 20, 2024
Published By: Sandeep K. Dhaliwal, MD, board-certified in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Springfield, VA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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